New Zealand’s gas market is entering a period of structural change. PwC’s 2026 Gas Supply and Demand Study, prepared for the Gas Industry Company, highlights a future where indigenous gas supply continues to decline, major fields reach end‑of‑life, and commercial and industrial (C&I) customers face increasing uncertainty.
For businesses that rely on gas for process heat, manufacturing, food production, or backup generation, the implications are significant — and planning ahead is essential.
The State of the Gas Market: Key Findings from the PwC Study
1. Domestic gas supply is declining faster than expected
New Zealand’s indigenous gas production has fallen to levels not seen in decades. Major fields are maturing, and by 2035 domestic supply could halve again. This creates structural scarcity and increases exposure to supply shocks.
2. Without LNG, the market becomes extremely tight
Gas demand must fall sharply by 2035
Industrial users face potential forced fuel switching
Electricity prices become more volatile, especially in dry years
3. LNG imports from 2028 improve stability — but don’t eliminate risk
If LNG is introduced:
Prices become more stable
Electricity security improves
Industrial operations remain more viable
However, LNG still exposes New Zealand to global commodity markets, and the study makes it clear that significant electrification or alternative fuels will still be required from the late 2020s onward.
4. The 2030s will be a crunch period
Even with LNG, domestic supply continues to decline. Any delays in LNG infrastructure or new supply sources increase risk for C&I customers.
What This Means for Commercial & Industrial Energy Users
1. Expect higher and more volatile gas prices
Tight supply and declining production create upward pressure on pricing. Dry years will amplify volatility.
2. Contract availability will shrink
Retailers may:
Shorten pricing validity windows
Reduce willingness to quote
Prioritise large or strategic customers
Require longer‑term commitments
3. Forced switching is a real possibility
Industries relying on gas for process heat may face:
Mandatory curtailment
Loss of supply if fields decline faster than forecast
Higher costs if switching is unplanned
4. Decarbonisation pressure will intensify
Even with LNG, the study is clear: New Zealand must electrify or adopt alternative fuels at scale.
Key Recommendations for Total Utilities Clients
1. Secure long‑term gas contracts where possible
For businesses that must remain on gas in the medium term:
Lock in multi‑year supply agreements
Prioritise retailers with strong upstream positions
Consider hedging strategies
Avoid exposure to short‑term or spot‑driven pricing
2. Begin evaluating alternative fuels now
Depending on your process heat requirements, viable options include:
Electric boilers or industrial heat pumps
Biomass or wood pellets
Renewable LPG or bio‑LPG
Hydrogen‑ready equipment
Thermal storage solutions
3. Stress‑test your energy strategy
Consider:
What happens if gas supply is curtailed for 30–90 days
The impact of a dry‑year price spike
The risk of a retailer declining to renew your contract
The cost difference between proactive vs reactive fuel switching
4. Integrate energy security into long‑term planning
Businesses should incorporate:
Scenario modelling
Capex planning for alternative fuels
Electrification roadmaps
Carbon reduction pathways
Contingency planning for supply interruptions
How Total Utilities Can Help
1. Gas procurement and long‑term contract negotiation
We work with all major gas supplies, helping you secure competitive, reliable supply in a tightening market. Over the last few months we have been securing contracts of up to 5 years and while this does not guarantee gas supply, it does provide long term gas pricing security.
2. Ongoing market intelligence
We continuously monitor:
Gas supply conditions
Retailer behaviour
LNG developments
Electricity market dynamics
Policy and regulatory changes
3. Decarbonisation and feasibility studies
Our technical partners can assist your business build practical, staged plans that balance cost, operational requirements, carbon reduction, technology readiness, and risk management. From engineering assessments to procurement and implementation, they guide you through the entire transition process.
Final Thoughts
The PwC study is a clear signal: New Zealand’s gas market is tightening, and C&I customers must prepare for a future where gas is more expensive, less available, and increasingly uncertain.
Whether your business intends to stay on gas for the medium term or transition away from it, the decisions you make in the next 12–24 months will shape your resilience and competitiveness through the 2030s.
Total Utilities is here to help you navigate that journey with clarity, confidence, and data‑driven strategy.
Panoramic Power Products – VAR Programme Termination – Issued January 2026
1. What decision has been made?
Total Utilities has decided to terminate its internal Value-Added Reseller (VAR) programme.
2. When does the termination take effect?
The VAR programme will terminate effective 30 April 2026, incorporating a 90‑day notice period.
3. Why has the VAR programme been terminated?
The decision follows a strategic and commercial review that considered:
Changes in global ownership of the Panoramic Power business
Market conditions and long‑term sustainability
Operational and financial requirements of maintaining a VAR model
4. Can VARs continue to sell Panoramic Power solutions?
Yes. From the effective termination date, all VARs previously part of the programme may continue selling Panoramic Power metering solutions, but not through the VAR programme.
Current VAR price plans will be terminated and replaced by a new retail price plan effective 1 May 2026.
5. What happens to existing VAR customer installations?
All existing installations will remain operational, and customers will continue receiving support and services.
Panoramic Power installations deployed through the VAR programme will remain fully supported following termination, with no impact on system functionality, data availability, or dashboard access.
Total Utilities will continue providing support services at current market rates. No action is required from end users.
6. How will support be handled after the VAR programme has terminated?
Tier 1 and Tier 2 support services at $300.00 per hour or as quoted
Ongoing operational support at $300.00 + GST per hour or as quoted
8. Is any action required from VARs now?
Plan and forecast for new Panoramic Power sales beyond the notice period, noting new retail pricing begins 1 May 2026
Contact Total Utilities if assistance is required
9. Who can VARs contact for further discussion?
Please email or contact your usual Total Utilities representative for clarification or support.
Approved for distribution:
Jonathan Gardiner Managing Director Total Utilities Management Group Limited
Since 2008, Total Utilities has been a trusted energy and procurement partner to Hall’s Group, one of New Zealand’s largest cold chain logistics providers. In 2025, this longstanding partnership reached a major milestone when Total Utilities supported Hall’s adoption of Lodestone Energy’s virtual solar model—an innovative renewable electricity solution designed to reduce emissions, stabilise long-term energy costs, and future-proof the company’s nationwide operations.
Client Background
Hall’s Group, owned by the Talley’s Group, operates a significant refrigerated transport and cold storage network across New Zealand. Its footprint includes:
Eight cold storage facilities
Nine logistics depots across both islands
A fleet of more than 640 specialised vehicles
Over 700 employees
With major hubs in Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, and Invercargill, Hall’s plays a critical role in maintaining the country’s food supply chain. Its leadership team has a clear long-term strategy: build a more sustainable, cost-efficient logistics network that aligns with customer expectations for low-carbon supply chains.
The Challenge
Hall’s energy demand is both high and mission critical, driven by continuous refrigeration loads across its facilities and vehicle network. The business sought a solution that could:
Reduce exposure to volatile electricity prices
Support its sustainability and emissions reduction commitments
Provide a robust financial pathway for long-term energy planning
Avoid operational disruption
Given the scale of Hall’s network and its continuous power needs, any solution needed to be reliable, future-oriented, and backed by strong analytical validation.
Total Utilities’ Approach
Total Utilities worked closely with Hall’s executive leadership to design and test a comprehensive financial and strategic business case for adopting Lodestone Energy’s virtual solar model.
Our work included:
1. Long-Term Pricing and Risk Analysis
We modelled long-term electricity cost trajectories and compared renewable supply scenarios against traditional procurement models. This analysis highlighted the pricing stability and hedging benefits of Lodestone’s solar-backed supply.
2. Security and Reliability Assessment
We assessed the operational implications of integrating certified renewable electricity into Hall’s distributed cold chain network, ensuring no compromise to 24/7 refrigeration requirements.
3. Alignment with Sustainability Strategy
We evaluated the emissions reduction benefits in the context of Hall’s wider decarbonisation roadmap and customer-driven expectations for climate-aligned logistics partners.
4. Executive Confidence Building
By presenting evidence-based insights, scenario modelling, and risk mitigation pathways, Total Utilities enabled Hall’s leadership to confidently proceed with a progressive, sector-leading energy purchasing strategy.
The Solution: Lodestone’s Virtual Solar Model
Hall’s entered into a long-term renewable electricity supply agreement with Lodestone Energy, supported by Total Utilities’ commercial and strategic advisory. Lodestone will supply Hall’s through its expanding portfolio of utility-scale solar assets, including:
The newly commissioned Whitianga solar farm
The Clandeboye development under construction
An additional soon-to-be-announced solar site
The agreement enables Hall’s to offset the electricity used across its national operations with fully certified renewable energy, ensuring long-term cost stability and meaningful emissions reduction.
Impact
For Hall’s Group
Stabilised long-term energy costs through price-certain renewable supply
Strengthened reputation as a forward-thinking logistics provider
Future-aligned energy strategy supporting nationwide growth
Chief Executive Gareth McFarlane described the agreement as a natural evolution of Hall’s long-term strategy to build a more sustainable and cost-efficient network—one that “genuinely makes a difference” for both the company and its customers.
For New Zealand’s Renewable Energy Landscape
Hall’s joins a group of major organisations adopting Lodestone’s model, alongside companies such as The Warehouse Group and Ingham’s. This contributes to a pipeline of more than 1,000 GWh of annual solar generation, accelerating access to affordable, low-carbon electricity across the country.
A Strengthened Partnership
For over 15 years, Total Utilities has supported Hall’s with strategic energy procurement and advisory services. This latest project underscores the value of a collaborative, long-term partnership built on trust, shared vision, and a commitment to innovation.
By guiding Hall’s through a rigorous assessment and implementation process, Total Utilities helped the organisation confidently transition to a renewable energy solution that supports both commercial outcomes and New Zealand’s wider low-emissions future.
Solar Smarts: How Kiwi Businesses Are Winning with Sunshine
Overview
Total Utilities’ Solar Feasibility Review and Supplier Engagement initiative is designed to help businesses evaluate the technical, financial, and environmental benefits of solar energy. By leveraging proposals from trusted SEANZ-approved providers, we deliver clear, data-driven insights and supplier options tailored to your energy usage profile and sustainability goals.
Our Process
Comprehensive Feasibility Review
Technical Assessment: Analyse your site’s solar potential, roof structure, and energy consumption patterns.
Financial Modelling: Calculate projected savings, ROI, and payback periods.
Environmental Impact: Estimate carbon emission reductions and ESG alignment.
Total Utilities has assessed proposals covering over 4MW of solar capacity, generating $1 million in annual energy cost savings with an average ROI of under 6.5 years.
Recent Projects
Hamilton High School
System: 167kW rooftop
Savings: $50k/year
CO₂ Reduction: 25 tonnes/year
ROI: 6.3 years
Financing: SmartEase – cashflow positive from day one
A key advantage Total Utilities brings to solar feasibility projects is our deep knowledge of energy procurement and market dynamics. By analysing current wholesale and retail electricity market conditions, we forecast future energy prices and establish a robust cost baseline. This ensures solar designs are evaluated against realistic, forward-looking energy cost scenarios rather than static or outdated assumptions.
Why This Matters:
Consistent Comparison: Solar proposals are assessed on the same financial basis, eliminating solar company bias or straight line price escalations that are not realistic. Risk Mitigation: Forecasting helps businesses understand potential exposure to rising power costs and quantify the value of solar as a hedge. Particularly useful if your business will soon end an energy supply contract. Data-Driven Decisions: Our procurement insights provide confidence that projected savings and ROI reflect actual market trends.
By integrating these forecasts into our financial modelling, we deliver a comprehensive view of both short-term and long-term benefits, ensuring your solar investment aligns with your business strategy and energy risk profile.
Total Utilities, as your trusted advisor, can source a tailored solar design that aligns with your energy profile and sustainability objectives. Contact us today to start your Solar Feasibility Review and unlock long-term savings and environmental benefits.
Over the past two years, Total Utilities has partnered with 12 high schools educating more than 16,000 students across New Zealand. Our waste and recycling services have delivered $600,000 in total savings, with an average reduction of 41% over three years. These savings have allowed schools to free up operational expenditure and redirect funds into student education, while also improving sustainability outcomes.
The Challenge
Schools face rising waste disposal costs due to increasing landfill levies and more complex recycling requirements. Many schools are locked into long-term contracts or paying for services they don’t fully use. Without expert oversight, waste bills can escalate, reducing funds available for teaching and learning.
Our Solution
Total Utilities provides a comprehensive waste management review, including:
Contract Analysis – We benchmark current rates against market pricing and identify opportunities for renegotiation.
Invoice Validation – Even schools within existing contracts can save money. We verify invoices against agreed rates and confirm that charges match the contract and that waste collection assets on site are still relevant for waste handling needs.
Waste Handling Improvements – We help schools reduce landfill waste and carbon emissions through better recycling practices and bin optimisation.
Impact
By reducing waste buying prices and improving waste handling, schools have achieved:
Lower landfill volumes
Reduced carbon emissions
Significant cost savings redirected to education
How Savings Support Students
Cost savings are often added to a school’s discretionary budget, enabling investment in initiatives that directly benefit students. Schools have used savings to:
Purchase new sports equipment (e.g., balls, uniforms, goal posts)
Fund field trips and camps for enriched learning experiences
Invest in classroom technology and resources (devices, STEM kits)
Support student wellbeing programmes and extracurricular activities
Instead of paying for unnecessary waste costs, schools are investing in experiences and tools that directly benefit students.
Success Highlights
12 High Schools
16,000+ Students
$600,000 Total Savings
Average 41% Reduction Over 3 Years
Savings Summary
Metric
Result
Schools Supported
12
Students Benefiting
16,000+
Total Savings Achieved
$600,000
Average Savings
41% over 3 years
Finding Savings for Schools Within Contract
Even if your school is currently within contract, Total Utilities can identify and recover savings by:
Validating invoices against contract rate cards to ensure the correct rates are being applied in practice.
Matching charges to onsite assets (bin sizes, types, collection frequency) to prevent billing for assets or services you don’t have.
Detecting anomalies such as duplicate collections, incorrect levies, or unimplemented discounts.
How Total Utilities Can Help
Total Utilities is dedicated to assisting you in reviewing your current waste contracts, focusing on pricing, efficiencies, and diversion rates. We offer advisory services to help you evaluate your options and find solutions for increased diversions, enabling you to make informed decisions about your waste contracts.
By staying proactive and informed, you can better manage your waste contracts, optimise costs and efficiencies, and make strategic decisions for your business’s future.
Discover how Total Utilities can help you streamline your Waste Procurement, reduce costs, and provide comprehensive reporting.
For over 25 years, Total Utilities has been the leading independent electricity and gas broker for schools throughout New Zealand. We work with schools of all sizes – from small rural schools to some of the largest in the country – ensuring they secure competitive energy contracts and maintain financial stability.
Challenge: Rising Energy Costs
With volatile market conditions and significant shifts in electricity and gas prices, schools face increasing pressure on their operating budgets. Accurate budgeting and competitive energy procurement can make a massive difference, freeing up funds for education rather than utilities.
Success Stories
Auckland Primary School – Electricity Cost Increase Mitigated
An Auckland primary school with a roll of just over 500 students faced an electricity cost increase of 24%. They turned to Total Utilities for assistance. Through our competitive market tender process, we secured a new electricity contract that reduced the increase to 10% and provided longer-term price security.
Auckland Intermediate School – Significant Savings Achieved
An Auckland intermediate school with more than 1,000 students went to market early to take advantage of favourable conditions. Their incumbent retailer’s renewal offer represented a 43% increase compared to current invoiced prices. Total Utilities delivered a new contract that was $45,000 cheaper over three years than the renewal offer.
Waikato High School – Gas Contract Savings
A Waikato high school with 700 students has partnered with Total Utilities for nearly 15 years. When their natural gas contract came up for renewal, they were concerned about the impact of declining gas supplies in New Zealand. Once again, Total Utilities delivered – sourcing a new contract that was $56,000 cheaper over two years than the incumbent retailer’s offer.
Our Approach
At Total Utilities, we believe that securing competitive energy prices for schools frees up budget that can be redirected towards our children’s learning rather than covering operational costs. We also provide annual budgetary advice that accounts for changes in transmission and distribution costs, as well as fluctuations in energy contract prices within a budget year. In a rising market, this is critical for setting accurate budgets.
Partner with Total Utilities
If your school is facing rising energy costs or wants to plan ahead, contact-us/talk to us today. We’ll help you navigate the market and secure the best possible outcomes for your budget.
